Overall, Il Cortile offers an authentic Italian dining experience with a charming courtyard where guests consistently praise delicious pastas, seafood dishes, and comforting Italian favorites, generous portions, and a warm, attentive service that makes you feel welcome. The atmosphere feels like a slice of Italy in the heart of the city, with tasteful decor, pleasant outdoor seating, and a vibe that suits intimate dinners, celebrations, and relaxed evenings. The menu, wine list, and occasional complimentary touches contribute to a memorable experience, while a few reviews note slower service during busy times and that some dishes vary in execution, leaving room for refinement. Many visitors express the intention to return and recommend Il Cortile to friends.
Honestly , I have wanted to try this place for a while for its outdoor courtyard dining. As you enter the building & arrive at the Helm , no one is there to greet you . It could use a bit more charm . The courtyard is super cute & you expect that you are about to discover a hidden gem & most importantly eat an unforgettable meal . Before I begin , I want to mention that the service was exceptional. A lot of attention was given to our particular changes & requests in our order & this is something I greatly appreciate . Now the food was just ok . That part definitely needs to be worked on . It doesn't take much more to design flavors up a couple of notches. & please , if you talk about having fresh pasta , use more semolina . The pasta was not flavorful nor great quality . As for the sauces , definitely missing some Italian love , especially at the price point you're charging for those dishes . My daughter who adores lamb , would not eat her dish . You are in a great location & have the potential to do more . Glad I tried it but won't be returning . The thing that made me happy was being with my children on my birthday & their generosity.
Quelle expérience parfaite ce soir! Je célébrais mon 21eme avec ma famille. Le
décor est magnifique, on se sentait en Italie. Service chaleureux & efficace, délicieux les plats de pâtes, aperol spritz, vin! & pour finir, ma mère avait appelé avant, elle a demandé si on pouvait amener un gateau, elle ne savait pas quoi trop choisir, le propriétaire lui a dit'pas de problème, je vais aller acheter un gateau chocolat crème glacée pour vous'! Jamais vu ça. Ils m'ont donc amené un gateau entier à la table qu'ils s'étaient procurés pour moi, avec un bonne fête écrit dessus. Vraiment une superbe expérience. Ce resto existe depuis 40 ans, du père au fils. Je recommande fortement!
Sep 15, 2025
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Went there for dinner for the first time on a Sunday with a reservation.
When we came in it's like a zoo. Nobody is at the helm. We just stood there looking for someone to check us in.
Suddenly someone came out of the kitchen & showed us to a table.
The decor is magical. Can't say enough about the atmosphere. Service was so so.
We asked if we could have something off nenu, pasta carbonara. The waiter said sure but let me ask the cook.
I had to ask twice bc he had forgotten.
We ordered as well 2 caeser salads.
Takes forever to be served with 1 large group & nobody else but us in the restaurant.
Salad, my husband liked, me I thought it was very generic. Just ok. No lard or bacon, no parmesan slices etc.
I eat it.
Then came the Pasta carbonara. I had asked for spaghetti & received some flat noodles. They were cold & the sauce was like a thin lake in our plates.
I returned mine.
My husband ate them anyway ( I'm the picky one.) when you pay $38 a pasta plate, it better be good.
His noodles were busy trying not to drown. The sauce had not been reduced properly. My plate came back & it was much better. You can compare with my video & pictures.
When I stopped eating I asked the man taking back the plate to bring mine home. He said « of course ». Never saw that pasta again!
I asked for gelato. The waiter said yes . I picked raspberries. I received some raspberries granita full of ice pieces.
My husband ordered key lime pie, he left part of it. He said it tasted artificial.
We finally asked for the bill. It took FOREVER. I had to get up & asked 3 times during the meal for service.
My meal had been thrown out so they gave me another pasta instead.
Would never recommend this place to eat anything they sell.
Oh yeah & to use the bathroom you have to take an elevator one floor down
Not wheelchair friendly, in the expensive side. 0 parking.
Very charming place with a hidden courtyard in the heart of the city. The food was authentic Italian & was so good my father in law (a very picky eater) asked for another plate - which he inhaled!
Pricey at first glance, but then you realize your plate comes with an appetizer & the portions are very generous (Italian style!)
The food is absolutely incredible, but service suffers if there's a large group dining at the same time. Accept the grated parmesan at your own risk- we saw birds eating it from the serving bowls. Will probably give it another go on a slower day because the food is delicious.
Il Cortile is the real deal. The food is always excellent, the service is sharp, & the atmosphere makes you want to stay all night. Dino runs a tight ship & his staff know how to treat people right-you feel welcome without any of the fake stuff you get at other places. It's consistent, it's classy, & it's the kind of spot you can count on every time. I definitely recommend it.
I've been to Il Cortile a couple of times & it's always a great experience! Last week, I organized a dinner for my cousin's bridal shower & we really loved the service we were given by our waiter James. He made sure we were having a great time & that we enjoyed the food! Highly recommend this hidden gem, the atmosphere is amazing.
Aug 21, 2025
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Un midi d'anniversaireTOP. On peut compter sur IL CORTILE. Les serveurs sont chaleureux & toujours attentifs aux clients. Le menu du CAFE IL CORTILE offre des classiques de la grande cuisine italienne. Bravo ! Ancora bravo.
I came here to celebrate my close friend & loved the service. Our waiter, James, was the sweetest person ever. He made our entire experience even better. He took pictures of us & brought us a cake to celebrate my friend. The food was amazing & at a very reasonable price. We will definitely be coming back!!
Aug 12, 2025
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this restaurant is truely a hidden gem!! service was fast, food tasted fresh, the outdoor area was clean & visually appealing! extremely satisfied with this restaurant!! 🤩
Merveilleuse expérience à ce restaurant. Service excellent, entouré d'un décor magique. Vous pouvez facilement oublier que vous étes à Montréal. La nourriture était excellente. Nous avons même reçu une merveilleuse surprise. Un dessert de la part de la maison puisque nous étions là pour célébrer notre anniversaire. Merci Il Cortile!
I have contemplated coming here for weeks, after seen social media posts.
I had high expectations & we finally came today.
Unlike the pictures posted in social media, the open terrasse is very small, no fans, no air...hard to breathe.
Service was mediocre, I mean really mediocre.
We waited 1 hour or more for our meals,.during which time I poured whine in my glass my self.
We got my son's filet Mignon with sauce, not as we ordered so we send this to back to the kitchen, the second take came way too cooked & we return it to the kitchen again.
Their pasta is definitely not home made regular supermarket pasta, nothing to it.
Unfortunately the pancakes came with additional dressing, a nice hair in the center of them.
I'm sure my experience was unlike others, never the less, I wouldn't go back for any reason.
